Cervical Cancer

Understanding Cervical Cancer

Cancer of the cervix or cervical cancer, is the third most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Through effective screening however, cervical cancer can often be prevented or detected in its earliest stages.

Cervical cancer is the easiest female cancer to prevent, because there is a vaccine (the HPV vaccine) and a screening test available. It also is highly curable when found and treated early.

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Cancer is always named for the part of the body where it starts, even if it spreads to other body parts later. When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. Also known as the womb, the uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The cervix connects the upper part of the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).

Reliable Links for Cervical Cancer

Read about cervical cancer at Medline from the US National Institute of Health is certainly worth reading and is the easiest to navigate. Information is available in English and Spanish

A second place to start your cervical cancer education is with this overview from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. It has good detailed information that is updated regularly and dated. Information is available in English and in Spanish.

Free screening programs

The US Center for Disease Control identifies locations across the United States where uninsured and under insured woman can obtain a free or low cost Pap Test or Mammogram. Click here to see if you qualify, to find a local program click here.